ICE releases brothers arrested at MS Coast school bus stop

Key Points:

• Teenage brothers Israel Makoka (18) and Max Makoka (15), originally from the Republic of the Congo, were released from federal immigration detention after being arrested for violating their student visas by transferring schools without proper authorization.
• Their arrest sparked significant community support in Diamondhead, Mississippi, including letters from students and teachers, and involvement from local and federal Republican leaders such as Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker.
• ICE detained the brothers for transferring from Piney Woods School, a historically Black boarding school, to Hancock High School, which caused them to fall out of legal student visa status; ICE cited this visa violation as grounds for removal.
• Following their release, Israel was fitted with an ankle monitor and will return to Mississippi for his high school graduation, while Max will likely attend a local private school; their legal team is working to reinstate their visas and comply with federal regulations regarding tuition.
• The case highlighted tensions in the community, where many residents support strict immigration enforcement but also rallied to advocate for the brothers’ release, reflecting broader national debates on immigration policy and student visa regulations.